Is a balcony worth the extra expense

[Bradtez]

My daughter and I am planning on a cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii next September 2009. I would like to get an balcony, Since I have never cruised with a balcony before, my question is: is it worth spending the extra for a balcony versus an outside room. There is about an $200 difference. Thank you. Delores

 

Go and sit in your closet for 4 days, then sit on your front porch for 4 days, which was better?:D

[seafun]

Bradtez, that was perfect!!

 

"Go and sit in your closet for four days, then sit on your front porch for four days, which was better?"

 

Best -- and funniest -- explanation of a balcony I've seen! Thanks for the laugh! :D

[aircrest]

Absolutely

[RVRoadie]

I have done both, inside on a TA on the Century, balcony on a Panama Canal on the Pearl (last minute upgrade, $175 per). There is no question that the balcony is the better room. However, we found ourselves spending a lot more time in the balcony room, rather than out enjoying the ship. It does change the way you use the ship.

 

We are on the Jewel to New England later this year, and have booked inside. It works for us.

[JRock59]

Plain and simple, yes, Yes and YES! :D Have roomservice deliver Breakfast, what a great way to start your day. :) But a warning once you have a balcony cabin you'll never be truly happy with anything else, esp. on the bigger ships. :p

[Rockee4055]

It's really up to you. I can give you the reasons why we always take the balcony.

 

We like to sit out there and just watch the seas go by. It's also nice in the morning to sit out there and have your coffee.

 

We also like it because when there are 4 in the cabin and both male and female that allows someone to have some privacy while getting dressed for dinner, the others can slip out onto the balcony.

 

We have taken an oceanview cabin one time and went right back to the balcony.

 

We just like it because it gives you somewhere to escape to while hanging out in the cabin for one reason or another.

 

If you have others going with you it's nice to side by side balconies and open up the partition.

 

So with all of that said, it's up to you based on what you want.

 

Enjoy your cruise and if you go for the balcony enjoy that too.

[scperk]

If you have an extra $200 to $300 per person to spend they are nice...I have had a balcony a couple of times and we don't spend a lot of time out there or in our room...I'd rather spend that money in the Casino or on excursions..If you want some quiet time or solitude they are nice, i want to be where the action is.......Dennis

[Handsome58]

like this. Do the math.......$200 divided by the how many days on your cruise...........what would it it be an extra $20something or less or a little more a day for the balcony........GET IT!!!!!

[Wennfred]

My daughter and I am planning on a cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii next September 2009. I would like to get an balcony, Since I have never cruised with a balcony before, my question is: is it worth spending the extra for a balcony versus an outside room. There is about an $200 difference. Thank you. Delores

 

I always say the biggest FREE balcony is up there topside. You can lay out and just take it all in. 200.00 pp or 400.00 total could go elsewhere, maybe an excursion or more drinks. We are not balcony people as we are always out and about and prefer to be topside when the ship leaves port. There is more excitement up there surrounded by everyone having a great time.

 

If we ever went with a Balcony, the Aft Wrap around balconies are the best ones to get.

 

 

 

 

Fred

[nwiowacp]

Our first cruise, we had an interior cabin. The last cruise we had a balcony. We have both agreed we will never sail without a balcony room again. We like to "get away" from the crowd once in a while while still being outside. The balcony provides that for us. Not to mention, its awesome having your first cup of coffee in the morning out there!

[scperk]

Coffee in the morning and a drink while wife was finishing getting dressed for dinner was the only time I used my balcony......Dennis

[Theresa522]

YES it is worth every penny.. Go for it!!! Only problem is you will always want one!:D

[onceagain]

NOT to us - we have booked OV since our balcony and have been more than satisfied. We thought it was nice to look out at the ocean and at the pier at the islands, but for us, it was definitely not worth the extra $$. We use the extra $$ for excursions. :D

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I personally disagree that once you have a balcony you will always want one. If the price is right, I will choose a balcony but at $200 pp more, no way. I like my inside cabin just fine. I didn't get enough use of my balcony on my last cruise and I paid an extra $200 plus pp for it. I could have been fine with an inside like my first cruise. I enjoy the dark and would rather spend the money on excursion, pictures, drinks etc. I agree that I spent more time in my cabin with the balcony but it wasn't necessarily because of the balcony. I just wanted R&R.

[glrounds]

Cruising solo, which is usually the case, I wouldn't think of booking a balcony. One is seldom in the cabin when cruising alone. Aside from sleeping, showering, and changing clothes what is there to do in a cabin when you're alone ? :confused:

When cruising with my son the last time, we did have a balcony. We really enjoyed it. Had croissants and gallons of coffee in the morning, hung out there late at night watching the world go by. Was it worth it ? I don't know . . . I was making so much friggin' money a couple of years ago, it wouldn't have mattered. :D

Seriously, if you're with someone you REALLY ENJOY BEING WITH (incidentally, I know scores of married people that wouldn't think of spending an entire week with each other every moment ! :eek: ) I guess a balcony would be like your own private yacht. Come and go when you want, have meals and quiet times on the balcony if you so desire. I can see how some paxs really get accustomed to them. :)

[LindaJoy]

The best part of the balcony is waking up in the morning and ordering room service and having a cup of coffee while you are looking out at the beautiful ocean, it is so serene.:)

[Grits53]

My DH and I love our balconies, especially the aft wrap we just had last week. :D No matter the time of day or night, we love sitting on the balcony, gazing out at the peaceful sea, listening to the soothing sounds of the water. We don't spend hours out there at a time, but we spend at least a few minutes on it several times a day. Any time we come back into the room, we go straight to the balcony. We also prefer to do our "sunning and hanging out" on our own balcony, rather than among the crowds on the open decks.

 

On the other hand, I have cruised with a friend in an OV (to save money), and it was fine. We really didn't need a balcony, because we didn't spend much time in the room. If the price of a balcony meant being unable to afford a cruise, I would definitely go without one. I guess my advice to the OP would be to try a balcony and then decide for yourself. Obviously from the replies, some people love em and some could care less. We love em! :)

[golf43]

I think it is worth it to have a balcony. I worked my way up to a balcony over the years. My first cruise was an inside with bunk beds. Then we had another inside only a few decks up. Then we decided to get a balcony. Now we are hooked on having a balcony. I like to be able to see where we are at in the mornings or just have some down time to sit on a balcony and relax.

[scperk]

It's worth it if you want to stay in your room...If you want more quiet time , but if your are not in your room or on your balcony a LOT to me it's wasted money......Dennis

[Carnival Game]

I go on a cruise for the food, activities and ports, not to sit on a tiny porch. Coffee or no coffee. :D

[suziehmkr]

Isn't it great that cruise ships offer so many options for cabins so some people wouldn't be forced into a cabin they didn't like? I love my balcony, but would never PAY for an uber-suite, like my friend MUST have. Some can't understand why we pay for a balcony. So, I am glad that all cruise ships have so many options so everyone can be happy. :D

[tulsadancer]

Wow, I just checked on a website regarding this cruise. I assume this is on the Spirit? Those prices are fantasic, in my opinion. Under $1400 for a balcony room on a 12 day cruise to Hawaii.. wow..

 

By the way, I noticed you spend 5 days at sea just getting to Hawaii. That is reason #2 for getting a balcony.

 

You'll love Hawaii. It was a dream vacation for us, and I'm sure will be for you too.

 

Question......does that mean you are in Hawaii only 2 days in a 12 day cruise?

5 days there and 5 days back?

[kellyinkentucky]

I would not go if I couldn't have a balcony ...... that is honestly our favorite part of the entire cruise!!!!

[donaldsc]

No.

 

DON

[aircrest]

Question......does that mean you are in Hawaii only 2 days in a 12 day cruise?

 

5 days there and 5 days back?

-----------------------------

 

The Hawaii cruise mentioned is 5 days crossing from Vancouver to Hawaii and 7 days cruising the islands and then fly home.